AIBU To ask if the term Mixed-Race is outdated

[CambridgeEntry2022]

I don't want to cause offence by using outdated terms. Would it be more appropriate to use the term multi racial?

I am mixed race. Dual heritage is different because your parents could be the same race. My parents are from different countries and different races.

I have teenagers who are an age group who usually "know" the correct terms and they use mixed race too.

What would class as dual heritage or mixed heritage?

My children are mixed and I'm not sure how Id prefer them to be referred to. I don't really like the term mixed race but don't mind mixed.

I did diversity training recently and the said we should never use mixed race - a complete no no
We were told person of colour, diverse racial or enriched racial background.
My work colleague is bi-racial and said why not use this term?. They said she could of course refer to herself as she pleased but we couldn’t to others

Mixed race is absolutely fine. I had a white woman tell me I wasn't allowed to use this term to describe my own daughter! My mixed race family and friends all refer to themselves as such, and it's what I have to tick on forms. Dual heritage is inaccurate, you can be dual heritage without being mixed race, you can also be mixed race without being dual heritage. If someone doesn't like the term mixed race for themselves, I am sure they will correct you. There isn't one single term that can please everyone, but mixed race seems to be correct and appropriate most of the time.

Isn't it easier just to avoid any mention of race or colour. That's what I do.

Some people like the term and some people don't. I don't want to offend anyone so I will just not mention it.

In what context do you feel the need to describe someone's race? In everyday life I never do!
You should refer to a person, or group, how they prefer if you have to. I am mixed race and have no problem with describing myself as such. Others (as above) might. If you are in a position where you have to ascribe race but don't "want to cause offence" you ask so as not to.

My children are mixed race. I usually say they are ‘mixed’ and qualify that with half… and half… . I know I’m not mixed race but I don’t feel offended if people refer to my children as such. They are still young and I don’t know how they would feel when they grow up.

My partner describes himself as half caste being part European white and part from a country in Asia (which no longer uses the name that he identifies his family as coming from). I have tried to explain that some people find this offensive...but he says that is what he is and so uses the same term to describe other people of mixed ethnicity.

As a white person, it’s not for me to say what people who are mixed race should call themselves.
But I personally think dual heritage wouldn’t get across the meaning, or maybe I would be using it wrongly. I thought my child is dual heritage, but both her parents are white. Father is from a European country and it’s a very, very different culture, different language, different in so many ways that “dual heritage” really is a useful term in her situation. The two “heritages” affect her every day in terms of language, difficulties in relationships with half her family, learning about her background/history, down to her citizenship, even how Brexit affects her in a way it wouldn’t if she had an English father. But if I described her as dual heritage in no way would I be trying to imply she was mixed race, so I’m not sure what term I should use instead.

enriched racial background

But doesn't this imply that "single race" people are somehow poorer? That seems problematic to me?

I don't know what the preferred term is currently among those who philosophise about these issues, but in the real world most are fine describing themselves as mixed race and I can't imagine many taking offence at it. I agree with others that dual heritage is a different thing to mixed race.

I can't comment if it is out dated or not.

Can I ask in what context would this come up?

I cannot imagine a situation where you are with a person and you have to describe them other than by name. If for some bizarre reason you do have to address their heritage/race/being... then surely just ask them.

I'd really like to know what scenario you foresee OP. Or is it more of a written thing where you do not want to use an incorrect term.

Or maybe a baby coming - in which case ask the parents.

I dunno.

@RonaldMcDonald

I did diversity training recently and the said we should never use mixed race - a complete no no We were told person of colour, diverse racial or enriched racial background. My work colleague is bi-racial and said why not use this term?. They said she could of course refer to herself as she pleased but we couldn’t to others

‘Enriched racial heritage’ sounds like one of the euphemistic terms people used to use for gay; ‘He’s a very festive kind of chap.’ Trying too hard to be positive, and thus coming across negative. It’s cringey.

‘Person of colour’ - what is the real difference between that and ‘coloured person’ - which is awful, dated and classic ‘racist trying not to be.’ We’re all people of colour, aren’t we? I’m yet to meet a transparent one.

It’s in the interest of diversity training companies to create reasons why certain things are suddenly offensive. I’d like to know how they come up with their ‘acceptable’ terms. I wonder how many mixed race people they actually asked.

It’d be nice if it was no longer relevant to refer to someone as mixed race, anyway, wouldn’t it? We’re all mixed race, if you go back far enough. Unless it’s for filling in a form or whatever.

My kids are mixed race. I call them mixed race. I expect others to call them mixed race.

Mixed race is fine by me.

@Fauvist

I am mixed race and think it is a fucking horrible term. So we are not all OK with it. Would far prefer mixed or dual heritage.

There is just one race, the human race.

Do you object to the term race being used in any context to mean ethnicity? Because it's pretty common parlance.

@RonaldMcDonald

I did diversity training recently and the said we should never use mixed race - a complete no no We were told person of colour, diverse racial or enriched racial background. My work colleague is bi-racial and said why not use this term?. They said she could of course refer to herself as she pleased but we couldn’t to others

Enriched racial background 🤮 That is awful

I think we should do away with all of it and just think of everybody as just human beings.

@PumpkinKlNG

Same people saying black people should be called bame or person of colour yet every single black person I know calls themselves black just like every single mixed race person I know calls themselves mixed race, why do white people keep telling us what terms we should call ourselves 🤨

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

It's a mine field!

Who makes these rules up?

@Pixxie7

I think we should do away with all of it and just think of everybody as just human beings.

Yeah that doesn't actually fix racism and is pretty insulting to people who experience discrimination based on racial prejudice.

@Fauvist

I would not ever refer to myself as mixed race generally. I only used that term as it's part of the thread.

I don't think it's accurate or helpful.

Heritage refers to traditions and cultures and a countries identity whereas the term 'mixed race' refers to a mix of 2 or more races which is entirely different???

A racial identity is not bound by a countries borders it is genetic material localised

I’m not sure if you’re entering or in academia (based on your username) and concerned but this article, written by someone who is “mixed race” or “multiracial” and struggles with the terminology goes into: the history of it, whats preferred by the people in-group, what’s used in academia largely, etc. If you are going into a specific situation (one university, one job application, one grant application) check their website and see which term they have chosen.

www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2016/08/25/455470334/all-mixed-up-what-do-we-call-people-of-multiple-backgrounds?t=1626577554472

Also, note, dual heritage is never mentioned and even biracial is questioned as it is looked upon as possibly not inclusive enough (though if someone feels they are strictly biracial, that’s their prerogative).